New Texas law creates rush for meningitis vaccine [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas]

Jan. 07--ARLINGTON -- A new Texas law that requires private and public college students younger than 30 to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis has caused a surge in demand for the low-cost vaccine, area public health officials say.

In Tarrant County, 1,449 doses of the low-cost vaccine were available late Friday, and officials said they will reassess their inventory after the weekend.

The vaccines are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $25.

"Throughout, the day, that number is going to change," said Vanassa Joseph, spokeswoman for Tarrant County Public Health. "It has been pretty brisk.'

Tarrant County Public Health locations were busy Friday, and the Arlington branch, at 536 W. Randol Mill Road, drew a large group.

"It was so busy that there were people out the door," Joseph said.

Dallas County Health and Human Services officials said Friday that their supply of the low-cost vaccine, in the Adult Safety Net Program, sold out. The program, aimed at the uninsured or underinsured, provides vaccines at lower cost. More low-cost vaccine is expected next week, but officials couldn't say exactly when.

Dallas County students are asked to check the agency's website for updates. The low-cost vaccine has cost $10 in Dallas County.

Area colleges and universities have been reminding students that they must be immunized against bacterial meningitis to enroll for the spring semester.

A new law

A new Texas law dictates that all incoming college students under 30, even those living off-campus, must be immunized starting this month. The law expands a statute that required first-time students at public and private colleges who lived on campus to be immunized.

The new law pertains to first-time college students, students transferring from another institution and those re-enrolling after a break of at least one fall or spring semester, according to the questions-and-answers section of the University of Texas at Arlington website.

Area colleges and universities have been reminding students on official websites and with social media. The University of North Texas posted a reminder on Facebook and answered questions asked by readers.

UTA spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said Friday that more than 1,100 new undergraduates and more than 250 new graduate students had completed their vaccine documentation. UTA is working with students to make sure they complete the requirements by the start of classes Jan. 17.

UTA also extended its deadline for students to submit their documentation until Jan. 17. Initially, students had to turn it in by Jan. 2. Students will not be allowed to enroll or to move onto campus without submitting the paperwork.

Students can also get the vaccine from a private physician or clinic and use their insurance or pay out of pocket. Students can also check at campus health centers. The vaccine costs $130 at UTA Student Health Services. Sullivan said UTA had about 100 doses of the regular-price vaccine available Friday afternoon.

A hardship for some

Students scrambled Friday to get the shot, and those who couldn't find the low-cost shot Friday were upset.

"This is horrible," said Iisha Harrison, 26, a student at El Centro in Dallas. She found out she needed the shot this week when she was visiting Dallas County Community College about financial aid. She took classes in 2010 but not in 2011, so she has to get the shot.

Harrison, who doesn't have a job or a car, began calling Dallas-area pharmacies after she found out the Dallas County public health office had sold all its low-cost vaccine.

"How am I going to be able to get a shot that costs $165?" Harrison said, quoting prices from area pharmacies. "They are requiring us to have these shots by tomorrow and if you don't have the shot, you can't go to school."

Harrison said lawmakers should have expected the requirement to be a hardship for many students. "We are in a recession," she said. "What makes them think students can pay for a shot?"

Diane Smith, 817-390-7675

Twitter: @dianestar

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